Student pilot wanders into restricted airspace

Student pilot wanders into restricted airspace

WASHINGTON -- A student pilot who wandered into Washington's restricted airspace was forced to land in Gaithersburg, Md. Secret Service spokesman Darrin Blackford said the plane was identified around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday and landed about 25 minutes later in Maryland. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Diane Spitaliere said the pilot of the small Cessna plane was making a cross-country flight alone for the first time.

Authorities say fighter jets escorted the pilot from the restricted airspace.

Blackford says officials believe the pilot did not intend any harm to the White House or nearby facilities.